Nigeria Lost $2.8bn to Oil, Maritime Crimes in 2018, Says UN Report

A report released by the United Nations Secretary-General’s office in New York has shown that Nigeria lost a whooping estimated revenue of $2.8 billion in 2018.
The report said the losses were as a result of crude oil and maritime crimes.
According to the report maritime crime, including piracy dominated in the coast of West Africa and posed a big threat to peace and development in the region.
The report also noted the rise in drug trade in the region.
Part of the report reads:
“Maritime crime and piracy off the coast of West Africa continued to pose a threat to peace, security and development in the region.
“Oil-related crimes resulted in the loss of nearly 2.8 billion dollars in revenues last year in Nigeria, according to government figures.
“Between January 1 and November 23, there were 82 reported incidents of maritime crime and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
“In Benin, the Gambia and Nigeria, more than 50 kilogrammes of cocaine were seized between July and October by joint airport interdiction task forces.
“During the same period, joint airport interdiction task forces seized more than six kilogrammes of methamphetamines, eight kilogramme of heroin (double the amount in the first half of 2018) and 2.6 tonnes of cannabis.
“Drug production across the region was also reportedly on the rise, with more than 100 kilogrammes of ephedrine and phenacetin seized by competent authorities.’’ .